General Station Description \ File

The device specific features of a PROFINET® IO Device are documented in an electronic data sheet, the General Station Description File “GSDML”. This XML-based GSD-file describes uniquely and completely the characteristics of a device in a vendor-independent format. For the CI50x-PNIO Devices these characteristics are:

• Description of the inputs and outputs of the IO Devices
• Parameters that are necessary for correct operation of the IO Devices
• Diagnostics and its meanings that can be delivered from an IO Device
• Description of the S500 expansion modules that can be used on the IO bus

Due to the predefined file format the configuration of a PROFINET® system is simplified. The GSDML files are normally supported by the vendors.

The PROFIBUS® user organization (PNO) provides the GSDML files of several PROFINET® devices in its product overview.

The address of the PNO is: http://www.profibus.com